Litter bins in high visitor areas of the city - including the city centre, Portobello and Queensferry would be replaced and upgraded.  Funding of £100,000 a year for the next three years would cover purchase and installation of the bins and ongoing replacement of those which get damaged.  The council says the look and feel of the city would be improved and there could be active communications to encourage visitors to be responsible about litter. placeholder image
Litter bins in high visitor areas of the city - including the city centre, Portobello and Queensferry would be replaced and upgraded. Funding of £100,000 a year for the next three years would cover purchase and installation of the bins and ongoing replacement of those which get damaged. The council says the look and feel of the city would be improved and there could be active communications to encourage visitors to be responsible about litter. | TSPL

Spending Edinburgh's tourist tax: All 21 transport and environment projects proposed for funding from the Visitor Levy

More litter bins, new public toilets, widened pavements and improved street cleaning are just a few of the proposals for how Edinburgh should spend the money it receives from the new tourist tax.

There is also the plan to pedestrianise George Street and a host of other schemes intended to benefit visitors and residents alike.

It’s a year since the historic decision was taken for Edinburgh to become the first UK city to introduce a tourist tax.

The Visitor Levy, which comes into effect in July, is expected to bring in up to £50 million a year once it is fully established - a welcome funding boost for the Capital which otherwise faces an “extremely constrained” financial position.

Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said as well as early benefits, the new revenue could offer some certainty for longer-term projects like George Street, rather than being dependent on year-to-year funding from the Scottish Government.

He said: “I’ve long been a believer in visitor levies as a way to invest in the city. Edinburgh is the right place for it to happen and this is the right time for it to happen.

“I’m happy we are going to get bang for our buck and visitors and residents will see the benefit of the Visitor Levy relatively quickly.”

Some money has already been allocated to boost affordable housing in Edinburgh and more proposals are yet to come on culture and events.

But read read on now for the details of all 21 transport and environment projects which are proposed to be funded from the Visitor Levy.

They will be debated at committee on Thursday, January 29, and then go to full council for approval at the budget meeting in February.

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